Cut & Dried - A Woodworker's Guide to Timber Technology

By Richard Jones

An excellent resource for woodworkers, this book by furniture maker Richard Jones presents a technical subject in an approachable, straightforward manner.

He takes an in-depth look at trees and timber from a woodworker’s perspective, beginning with historical relationships between early societies and forests, and touching on the timber trade and industrialization in later centuries.

After summarizing the global distribution and classification of trees, the author addresses a wide range of topics on timber management, from felling to conversion and yield, as well as the effects of moisture on wood, and drying faults. In addition, he outlines international systems for tallying and grading timber and examines the strength properties of wood as a construction material. He concludes with a look at environmental and sustainability issues, and encourages woodworkers to play an active role in the management of forest resources.

Supplemented by photos, illustrations and reference material, this is an enlightening read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of trees and wood.